Original Word: עָמַד
Part of Speech: Verb
Transliteration: `amad
Pronunciation: ah-MAHD
Phonetic Spelling: (aw-mad')
KJV: be at a stand
Word Origin: [for H4571 (מָעַד - slip)]

1. to shake

be at a stand

For ma'ad; to shake -- be at a stand.

see HEBREW ma'ad

Word Origin
see maad.

Definition and Scope

The term עָמַד (Strong’s 5976) conveys the idea of a fixed, upright position—someone or something set in place, poised to act, or made to serve as support. It is more than a momentary pose; it implies readiness, reliability, and responsibility within a given setting.

Occurrences and Immediate Contexts

1. 2 Samuel 20:11 — “One of Joab’s young men stood near Amasa and said, ‘Whoever favors Joab and whoever is for David, follow Joab!’”. The “standing” soldier functions as Joab’s herald, visibly anchoring Joab’s authority in the midst of confusion after Amasa’s assassination.
2. Ezekiel 29:7 — “When they took hold of you with their hands, you splintered and tore open their shoulders; when they leaned on you, you broke and made their backs quake.”. Here Egypt is portrayed as an unreliable “stand” or support, collapsing under pressure and injuring those who trusted it.

Historical Backdrop

• 2 Samuel 20 occurs late in David’s reign, when civil unrest threatened the fragile unity of Israel and Judah. Joab’s emissary “standing” by the corpse underscores the urgency of decisive loyalty to the rightful king.
• Ezekiel 29 dates to the Babylonian exile. Israel’s misplaced hope in Egypt for military assistance is exposed; Egypt’s failure to “stand” illustrates divine judgment on false alliances.

Symbolic and Theological Themes

1. Steadfast Presence — In 2 Samuel, the standing guard embodies unwavering commitment to the anointed king, prefiguring the call for believers to “stand firm” (compare Ephesians 6:13).
2. Hollow Support — Ezekiel presents a sobering antithesis: that which appears sturdy can collapse if it opposes God’s purposes. Trust placed anywhere but in the Lord ultimately disappoints.
3. Divine Sovereignty — Both passages affirm that true stability originates in God’s covenant faithfulness, not in human strength or political power.

Contrasting Portraits of Support

• Faithful Stand: Joab’s young man exemplifies a servant who holds position, speaks truth, and rallies others to righteous allegiance.
• Treacherous Stand: Egypt resembles a brittle reed—externally upright yet internally fractured—emphasizing that moral and spiritual integrity are necessary for genuine support.

Intertextual Connections

• Psalm 1:5 contrasts the righteous who “stand” in judgment with the wicked who cannot.
• Isaiah 7:9b warns, “If you do not stand firm in your faith, you will not stand at all.”
• Romans 5:2 celebrates the grace “in which we stand,” linking the Old Testament imagery of firm footing to New Covenant assurance.

Implications for Discipleship and Ministry

• Leadership: Ministers are called to be visible, dependable pillars who direct others toward the true King, mirroring the sentinel by Amasa.
• Pastoral Care: Congregations must examine whether the supports they lean upon—programs, personalities, or institutions—possess the God–ordained strength to bear real weight.
• Apologetics and Counseling: Ezekiel’s warning equips believers to address misplaced trusts in cultural, political, or philosophical systems that cannot ultimately uphold the soul.

Christological and Eschatological Outlook

Jesus Christ fulfills the ideal embodied in עָמַד. He is the sure cornerstone (Isaiah 28:16; 1 Peter 2:6), the One who “stands” as mediator (Romans 8:34) and who will “stand upon the earth” at the resurrection (Job 19:25). In Revelation 5:6 the Lamb is seen “standing”—a victorious, immovable presence guaranteeing that God’s kingdom will prevail.

Conclusion

Strong’s 5976 highlights the decisive difference between steadfast and hollow supports. In Scripture, genuine standing is inseparable from alignment with God’s will. Where His authority is honored, individuals and nations find stability; where it is resisted, even the tallest pillars crumble. Modern disciples are therefore summoned to take their stand in Christ alone, serving as trustworthy supports for others and reflecting the unwavering character of the One who calls them.

וְהַעֲמַדְתָּ֥ והעמדת עָמַ֣ד עמד ‘ā·maḏ ‘āmaḏ aMad vehaamadTa wə·ha·‘ă·maḏ·tā wəha‘ămaḏtāInterlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel Texts